Elections 2019

Opinion

Abdullah Rejects Ghani’s Invitation On Peace Jirga

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah is firm on his decision of boycotting the Grand Consultative Jirga for Peace, an official of Abdullah’s office said, adding that he has been invited by the Presidential Palace to attend the event but he has rejected the invitation.

Head of Abdullah’s Office, Abdul Qahar Abid, said a team was sent by President Ghani to discuss his presence in the Jirga but Abdullah refused to meet the delegation.

Abid said the Presidential Palace is trying to convince Abdullah to attend the peace Jirga, but he has not changed his decision.

“No doubt, the request was made. A delegation was formed by them (Presidential Palace) and even from higher addresses for negotiations, but there is no negotiation. He stands by the statement that had issued. There is no negotiation and the chief executive will not attend the Jirga,” said Abed.

So far, eight election teams, including Abdullah Abdullah’s ticket, have boycotted the peace Jirga, which is an assembly of almost 3,000 delegates who will discuss a unified stance on peace.

Meanwhile, one member of the peace Jirga’s organizing committee said they have all the preparations to transfer all the delegates from provinces to Kabul by Afghan National Army helicopters and civilian airplanes.

So far, the delegates of Uruzgan, Zabul and Nimroz provinces have arrived in Kabul.

“The number of delegates has increased from 2,500 to 2,900. All will attend the process and all the lists have been completed,” said Abdul Rashid Ayubi, a spokesman of the committee said.

Delegates from Uruzgan, who arrived in Kabul on Tuesday, said the see the Jirga as an important opportunity for peace.

“We want to find a way for ending the war and want to make a decision for ending the war,” said Hamidullah, head of Uruzgan Ulema Council.

“This is a big process and it is a need that the opinions of all the Afghans should be obtained,” said Abdul Karim Khadim, member of Uruzgan provincial council.

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Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah is firm on his decision of boycotting the Grand Consultative Jirga for Peace, an official of Abdullah’s office said, adding that he has been invited by the Presidential Palace to attend the event but he has rejected the invitation.

Head of Abdullah’s Office, Abdul Qahar Abid, said a team was sent by President Ghani to discuss his presence in the Jirga but Abdullah refused to meet the delegation.

Abid said the Presidential Palace is trying to convince Abdullah to attend the peace Jirga, but he has not changed his decision.

“No doubt, the request was made. A delegation was formed by them (Presidential Palace) and even from higher addresses for negotiations, but there is no negotiation. He stands by the statement that had issued. There is no negotiation and the chief executive will not attend the Jirga,” said Abed.

So far, eight election teams, including Abdullah Abdullah’s ticket, have boycotted the peace Jirga, which is an assembly of almost 3,000 delegates who will discuss a unified stance on peace.

Meanwhile, one member of the peace Jirga’s organizing committee said they have all the preparations to transfer all the delegates from provinces to Kabul by Afghan National Army helicopters and civilian airplanes.

So far, the delegates of Uruzgan, Zabul and Nimroz provinces have arrived in Kabul.

“The number of delegates has increased from 2,500 to 2,900. All will attend the process and all the lists have been completed,” said Abdul Rashid Ayubi, a spokesman of the committee said.

Delegates from Uruzgan, who arrived in Kabul on Tuesday, said the see the Jirga as an important opportunity for peace.

“We want to find a way for ending the war and want to make a decision for ending the war,” said Hamidullah, head of Uruzgan Ulema Council.

“This is a big process and it is a need that the opinions of all the Afghans should be obtained,” said Abdul Karim Khadim, member of Uruzgan provincial council.